CHAPTER XIV 



SNAKES 



THOUGH the snake does not account for so great 

 a number of natives as either the lion or crocodile, 

 it is a source of danger ever present to the mind of 

 him who dwells in the pori, so much so that, after 

 some years of life in the wild, the mind becomes 

 instinctively alert to the possibility of encountering 

 these reptiles, and when trudging through the bush 

 the eye is always on the watch for them. In this 

 respect, the native's vision is intensely keen, and 

 the readiness with which he distinguishes the 

 reptile's body from the very similar appearance of 

 the dense vegetation around is astonishing. Before 

 spreading a blanket on which to lie, it is always 

 customary to scrutinize the ground for snakes, 

 though I have often seen natives, with their happy- 

 go-lucky natures, fling themselves down without a 

 thought. 



Once, when travelling between Beira and the 

 Zambesi River, as my carriers were a long way 



